The Riftia pachyptila, or giant tube worm, is a living marine organism that is part of a complex eco system that lives at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean next to hydrothermal vents. The hydrothermal vents discharge recirculated water that is made up of a highly toxic, dark colored mixture of chemicals that is deadly to most living animals (Seasky 1). However, crabs and shrimp have been observed feeding on the red plume (Mystic Aquarium5). The average temperature of the surrounding water is close to the boiling point. Tthere is no discernible light source that can descend to the depths of the giant tube worm’s habitat. The tube worms receive their nourishment from small bacteria that is generated from the chemicals in the surrounding waters through chemosynthesis (Seasky 1). According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, chemosynthesis is the, “synthesis of organic compounds by energy derived from inorganic chemical reactions (Merriam 1).”
The giant tube worms are related to other species of tube worms that are found at smaller depths of the ocean. These giant tube worms can achieve heights exceeding eight feet tall. They do not have a mouth or digestive tract from which to obtain nutrients for their survival once the tubes have matured. These worms survive by means of a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria that is contained within them. The bacteria extract organic molecules from the chemicals that are spewed from the hydrothermal vents located nearby. (Seasky 2).
The most distinguishing feature of the giant tube worm is a bright red plum that is located at the top of the tube. The tube is colorless and contains the organs of the tube in a pouch called a trophosome (Mystic Aquarium 2) The color is derived from the large quantity of blood that is contained within the plume. The plume is the worm’s organ that is used to swap oxygen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide with the seawater that provides the nourishment for the bacteria. The tube’s hard outer core is made of chitin, similar to that of a crab. Reproduction is accomplished when the plume retracts releasing the female’s eggs and the male’s sperm bundles into the seawater above the tube. These eggs are them fertilized by the seawater and form into larvae that attach themselves to rocks next to a hydrothermal vent (Mystic Aquarium 6). At this stage, the giant tube worm has a mouth and stomach that is used to catch the bacteria that will form their symbiotic relationship. During its maturation, the tube worm’s mouth and gut will cease to exist causing the bacteria to be trapped inside (Seasky 4).
Geothermal activity provides for the life cycle of the giant tube worm communities. When a hydrothermal vent closes, the nutrients that they produce disappear. This results in the starvation of the tube worm and it dies. New hydrothermal vents create new communities of giant tube worms (Seasky 5). The lifespan of a giant tube worm is unknown (Mystic Aquarium 1).
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GIANT TUBE WORMS:
The Riftia pachyptila, or giant tube worm, is a living marine organism that is part of a complex eco system that lives at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean next to hydrothermal vents. The hydrothermal vents discharge recirculated water that is made up of a highly toxic, dark colored mixture of chemicals that is deadly to most living animals (Seasky 1). However, crabs and shrimp have been observed feeding on the red plume (Mystic Aquarium5). The average temperature of the surrounding water is close to the boiling point. Tthere is no discernible light source that can descend to the depths of the giant tube worm’s habitat. The tube worms receive their nourishment from small bacteria that is generated from the chemicals in the surrounding waters through chemosynthesis (Seasky 1). According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, chemosynthesis is the, “synthesis of organic compounds by energy derived from inorganic chemical reactions (Merriam 1).”
The giant tube worms are related to other species of tube worms that are found at smaller depths of the ocean. These giant tube worms can achieve heights exceeding eight feet tall. They do not have a mouth or digestive tract from which to obtain nutrients for their survival once the tubes have matured. These worms survive by means of a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria that is contained within them. The bacteria extract organic molecules from the chemicals that are spewed from the hydrothermal vents located nearby. (Seasky 2).
The most distinguishing feature of the giant tube worm is a bright red plum that is located at the top of the tube. The tube is colorless and contains the organs of the tube in a pouch called a trophosome (Mystic Aquarium 2) The color is derived from the large quantity of blood that is contained within the plume. The plume is the worm’s organ that is used to swap oxygen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide with the seawater that provides the nourishment for the bacteria. The tube’s hard outer core is made of chitin, similar to that of a crab. Reproduction is accomplished when the plume retracts releasing the female’s eggs and the male’s sperm bundles into the seawater above the tube. These eggs are them fertilized by the seawater and form into larvae that attach themselves to rocks next to a hydrothermal vent (Mystic Aquarium 6). At this stage, the giant tube worm has a mouth and stomach that is used to catch the bacteria that will form their symbiotic relationship. During its maturation, the tube worm’s mouth and gut will cease to exist causing the bacteria to be trapped inside (Seasky 4).
Geothermal activity provides for the life cycle of the giant tube worm communities. When a hydrothermal vent closes, the nutrients that they produce disappear. This results in the starvation of the tube worm and it dies. New hydrothermal vents create new communities of giant tube worms (Seasky 5). The lifespan of a giant tube worm is unknown (Mystic Aquarium 1).
Works cited:
Knight, J. (1998-2013). Creatures of the Deep: Giant Tube Worm. Retrieved from Sea and Sky:http://www.seasky.org/deep-sea/giant-tube-worm.html
Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Chemosynthesis. 2013. Retrieved from Merriam Webster: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemosynthesis
Sea Rresearch Foundatin, Inc. (2013). Mystic Aquarium: Giant Tube Worms. Retrieved from Mystic Aquarium.org: http://www.mysticaquarium.org/animals-and-exhibits/species-of-the-month/649-tubeworms
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Hydrothermal Vents. 2013. Retrieved from YouTube Video.
Darcee Heffner